Flying-machine.



E. H. PBYCE. FLYING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED DEC. 15. 191i. nmswsn JULY 30. I91]. L fig fio Patenwfi Mm. 122, 1918.

3 SHEETS-SHEET l- E. H. PRYCE! mme MACHINE. ARELICATION FILED DEC. 15, l9ll- RENEWED JULY 30| I917- Patented Mar. 12, 1918.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2- E. H. PRYCE. FLYING MACHINE. APPLICATION mm 050. 15. 1911. nmzwso JULY,30. m7. 1 %5,%3

Patented Mar. '12, 1918.

3 8HEETSSHEET 3.. v

FLYING-MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mania, 1918.

Application filed December 15,,19l1, Serial No. 665,905. Renewed July 30, 1917. Serial No. 183,638.

To aZZ-wiwm itmay concern:

Be itlrnown thatl, EDMnNnH-Usr BRYCE, asubject of the King-of Great B1f1tt1111,;1.11(l

a resident of New York city, in the county of New Yorlrand Stateof New York, have and the features of novelty pointed out in the claims hereinafter presented.

Referring to the drawings, Figure l is a side view of my mproved machine whichtravels 1n the direction indicated by the. arrow.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional viewof the machine.

F i g. 3 is a cross sectional view of line'33 of Fig. 2.

Fig. at is-a' front view of the machine.

Aand A indicate e l l frame elements .of the machine, and are formed like wheels, the spokes being indicated by (an, a, etc., and the hubs ;VA being provided with grooves A A respectively." Theframe is constructed to rotate on .a central tubular element B, whichcarries bearing elements 65C respectively, ball bearings C being shown in these drawings,.butit is obvious that any proper form of hearing may be used.

A motor D is suspendedfrom the tube B by metal or other suitable stiff hangers DD, the ring portions D -D being fastened rigidly to the tube B. The bottom of the tube B is slotted as indicated at B to permit the chain E, driven by the motor, to drive the shaftF which exten'dslongitudinally. through the tube B, and is supported at each end by bearings G and G respectively, which bearings are held rigidly in the tube B, and preferably in vertical alinement with the bearing elementsC.

A propeller His mounted on the shaft F. To furthersupporttheshaft F andpropeller H, a separate bearing 1 is provided which is located justbehind-the propeller and is provided with. anannular groove I in which the-forward end of the tube 'B i'its. Two bifurcateddepending rods J-J respectively areconnected with the tube B either directly or indirectly and extend below the frame elements A and A to the truckpor- .tion, which portion comprises the wheels KKK, etc, and a seat L for theaviator, and carries the usual levers and controldevices necessary to govern the machine'in i-ts flight.

M, indicates a rod which extends from the rear end of the tube B and N indicates one of the steering planes which ishingedat N to permitthe plane N tobe swung laterally, and N isa steering planesupported by the plane ,N and extending horizontally ,and at right angles to plane N and may be turned on itsqax'is N by the cord N to govern the rise andfall movement of the machine.

Acor d-or chain Opasses over a wheel 0 which ,is fastened to the shaft of theplane N, and extends around a wheel P which is operated by -means of the hand wheel Q, .and thus ,theplane-N may be swung on the hinge N Otl suitable means may beemployed to control thesteering pla-nesN and Ni'this being a matter of minor importance.

Springs .RRR respectively are used between'jthe upper frame portion J andJ and thewheelsK to prevent shock when the :machinecomes in contact with the groundin alight-ing. ltods S S respectively are connected to the tube B and any wires ii -S respectively extend from them tothefshaft Mto support the same as indicated The frameeleinents A and A are each provided near their periphery with bearings jT-iT, etc., which are spaced apart from each other circumferentially, and tubular shafts V 'V etc, are fitted to turntherein and extend across from the frame portion A to portion A and suitable collars T are connected to shaftsTto hold said shafts in position.

A rod'VV extends entirelythrougheach shaft V andis free to; turn relative thereto. lVide, continuous bands X-X respectively are passed over the extended endsof the rods NV and are held thereon by collars W, and said bands serve as planes to help supportthe machine in the air. They may be madeas wide as required. Fastened rigidly to each shaft V, is a supporting plane Y which is heldto saidshaftjby supports Y'Y, etc, substantially .as illustrated.

Y -Y etc., respectively indicate further supporting plane surfaces which are properly held in position by any suitable well known means.

()n one end of each shaft V is mounted a sprocket wheel Z and on the tube Badjacent to the ends thereof are sprocket wheels and Z respectively. The sprocket wheels 55 which are located directly opposite to each other on the frame portions A. and A are connected together by chains 6 when the planes Y extend parallel with eacl. other, the planes being set in position to extend horizontally as illustrated in Fig. l. On the spokes a are mounted cross pieces (Z which are bifurcated at each end and in said ends tension pulleys e are held against which the chains F) press to hold the chains in proper adjusted position on to the sprocket wheels Z and. Z as will be readily understood.

An opening 7 is formed in the forward end of the tube B on the underside, through which electrical conductors can be passed. longitudinally through the tube l3 and down through the opening B to the motor D to control the spark which ignites the gases in the motor. It is obvious that if a steam mo-- tor or other type of motor were used, that the means for controlling the same could be passed through the openings 7 and B, so that it could be started or stopped from the aviators position located at the seat L.

T he machine is operated as follows The engine cylinders are charged with gas under compression and the aviator then closes the electric circuit through the spark plug to ignite said gases thus starting the motor which drives the shaft F and propeller H. through the instrumentality of the drive chain E. The propeller acting on the air drives the machine forward in the direction. indicated by the arrow in Fig. 1, until the machine has obtained sufiicient velocity for the air acting on the under side of the plane surface Y and the plane bands X to lift the machine from the ground after which the rise and fall of the machine is governed by the steering plane N and the turning movements by the plane N by means of the hand wheels and the control cords N and 0 respectively, as will be readily understood.

In case a gust of wind should impinge against the planes on one side of the machine, tending to lift the planes on the righthand side of the machine for illustration, the whole frame comprising the elements A, A and the shafts V would revolve about the tube B and at the same time rotate in the bearings T, while the planes Y would be kept in a horizontal position by means of the chains 6, due to the fact that the sprocket chains 2; engage with the sprockets Z and Z which are mounted on the tube B in fixed relation therewith, and, therefore, as the frame elements A and A revolve about the tube B, the chains Z) will act to turn the shafts V in proportion to the distance the frame elements A and A revolve, thus keeping the planes Y in proper horizontal position.

By reason of the truck and weight of the motor being connected and fixed directly to the tube 13 and suspended therefrom, they serve as a lever-to prevent the wind acting on the vanes from rotating the tube B, and, therefore, the effort of the motor in turning the shaft F is counteracted, as will be readily understood. l he rods N are free toturn in the shafts V, and, therefore, offer no rosistauce to the turning of the said shafts in the bearings T. The webs X could be supported on shafts fixed directly to the frame portions A and A. respectively, instead of to the rods 7 if desired, without changing the operation or action of the said plane surfaces, as will be readily understood by any person skilled in this art.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new v V 1. 1n a'flying machine, a central relatively stationary element, a frame mounted on said element and rotatable relative thereto, shafts carried by said frame and rotatable therein, supporting planes carried by said shafts to sustain the machine by the sustaining action of the air exerted through the rapid forward motion of the machine, means for automatically controlling the rotation of said shafts through the rotation of the frame relatively to the stationary element to maintain the planes in proper position to sustain the machine, and means for propelling said machine.

A machine comprising a central tubular element, a frame mounted on said tubular element and rotatable relative-thereto,shafts carried by said frame and rotatable therein, supporting planes carried by said shafts, means for controlling the rotation of said shafts, rods extending from the sides of said frame, a band supported bv said rods pre senting plane surfaces, and means for propelling said machine.

3. A. machine comprising a central tubular element, a frame mounted on said tubular element and rotatable relative thereto. shafts carried by said frame and rotatable therein, supporting planes carried by said shafts, means for controlling the rotation of said shafts, rods extending from the sides of said frame, a band at each end of said machine supported bv said rods, and means for propelling said machine.

4. A machine comprising a central tubular element, a frame mounted on said tubular element and rotatable relative thereto, shafts carried by said frame and rotatable therein, a plurality of supporting planes carried by each of said shafts, means for controlling teasers the-rotation of said. shafts, rods extending and means for propelling said machine.

5. A machine comprlsing a central tubular element, bearings located in said element, a

shaft supported. in said bearings, a propeller mounted on one. endof said shaft, a motor suspended from said tubular element, a driving means connecting said motoravithsaid shaft, a frame mounted onsaid-tubular element and rotatablerelative thereto, shafts carried by said frame and rotatable therein, sup-porting planes carried bysaid shafts, and means for rotating said shafts as the-frame turns relative to the said tubular element.

6. A machine comprising a central hearing element, a frame mounted thereon and rotatable relative thereto, plane surfaces carried by said frame, means for maintaining said plane surfaces in horizontal position as the frame rotates relative to said central bearing element by reason of gusts of wind striking said planes, a structure adapted to carry an aviator fixedly connected to said central bearing element. and suspended beneath said frame, a propeller and means comprising a motor for driving said machine.

7. A machine comprising a central bearing element, a frame mounted thereon and rotatable relative thereto, plane surfaces carried by said frame, means for maintaining said plane surfaces in horizontal position as the frame rotates relative to said central bearing element bv reason of inequalities in inward pressure, a structure adapted to carry an aviator fixedly connected to said central bearing element and suspended beneath said frame, means comprising a motor and a propeller for driving said machine, and means supported by said central bearing element for steering said machine in fli ht.

8. A machine comprising a central tubular element, a frame mounted on said tubular element and rotatable relative thereto, shafts carried by said frame and rotatable therein, supporting planes carried by said shafts, means for controlling the rotation of said shafts when the planes are moved by inequalities in wind pressure, means for propelling said machine, and means supported by said central bearing element for steering said machine in flight.

9. A machine comprising a central tubular element, a frame mounted on said tubular element and rotatable relative thereto, shafts carried by said frame and rotatable therein, supporting planes carried by said shafts, means for controlling the rotation of said shafts, rods extending from the sides of said frame, a band supported by said rods presenting plane surfaces, means for propelling said machine, and means supported by said fcentral bearing, element for steering said machine in flight.

10. In a flying machme,,a relativelyasta- .tionary frame, .a plurality vof supporting planes, mounted. sons to swing about said frame in response to gusts of wind, propellingmeans independent of. said, planes, and means for automatically maintaining said planes horizontal during their swinging movement.

11. fl-n. a flying machine, a relativelyzstationary. frame, H'IIIOVEiblG. frame, mounted so as to swing on said first mentioned frame about an. axis-correspondin-gto the direction of flight, a plurality of supporting planes mounted on said frame, said movable frame being adapted to be swung about its axis by any inequality of pressure exerted by gusts of wind upon the supporting planes, and means for keeping said supporting planes horizontal in all positions.

12. in a flying machine, propelling means, a relatively stationarv frame, a frame movably mounted on said relatively stationary frame, supporting planes independent of the propelling means mounted on said movableframe to sustain the machine through sustaining forces arising through the rapid forward movement of the machine, and a controlling connection between said stationary frame and planes whereby said planes are kept substantially horizontal in any position of the movable frame.

13. In a flying machine, propelling means, a relatively stationary frame, a second frame mounted thereon, and movable thereon about an axis corresponding to the direction of flight, a plurality of supporting planes mounted upon said movable frame, said sup porting planes being independent of the propelling means and serving to sustain the machine through the sustaining action of the air exerted through the rapid forward motion of the machine, a stationary member mounted upon said stationary frame, and controlling connections between said stationary member and said supporting planes adapted to automatically maintain said supporting planes horizontal in any position of the movable frame.

lat. In an aeroplane, a body, a frame pivoted to the body and free to move relatively thereto under the influence of the wind, a plurality of supporting plane members pivoted to the frame, and means for rotating the plane members relatively to the frame on the rotation of the frame.

15. In an aeroplane, a main frame, a second frame pivoted thereto and free to move relatively to the frame under the influence of the wind, four supporting plane members spaced at equal distances apart and pivoted tovthe second frame intermediate the sides, and at equal distances from the axis of the second frame and means to rotate age; 1 v r the plane members relatively to the second frame on the rotation of the second frame relatively to the first frame.

16; In an aeroplane, a main frame, a second frame pivoted to the main frame and free to move relatively to the main frame under the influence of the Wind, a plurality of supporting plane members spaced at equal distances apart and pivoted to the second frame intermediate the sides at an equal distance from the axis of the second frame, a hub on the second frame, hubs on the plane members, and meansfor rotating the hubs for rotating the plane members simultaneously on the rotation of the second frame rela- 15 ively tothe first frame.

Signed at New York city in the county of New York and State of New York this 1st day of December, A; D.'191l.

EDMUND HUGH PRYCE.

'Witnesses FRANK M. ASHLEY, MINNIE S. MlLLER.

@ejgatea e8 this patent may be ebtametl Ear five cents eaeh, by addressing the Gossiener of Eaten: Washington, D. G. r 

